And the philosopher holding converse with the divine order, becomes orderly
and divine, as far as the nature of man allows; but like every one else, he
will suffer from detraction.

Of course.

And if a necessity be laid upon him of fashioning, not only himself, but human
nature generally, whether in states or individuals, into that which he beholds
elsewhere, will he, think you, be an unskilful artificer of justice,
temperance, and every civil virtue?

Anything but unskilful.

And if the world perceives that what we are saying about him is the truth,
will they be angry with philosophy? Will they disbelieve us, when we tell them
that no state can be happy which is not designed by artists who imitate the
heavenly pattern?

They will not be angry if they understand, he said. But how will they draw out
the plan of which you are speaking?

They will begin by taking the state and the manners of men, from which, as
from a tablet, they will rub out the picture, and leave a clean surface. This
is no easy task. But whether easy or not, herein will lie the difference
between them and every other legislator, —they will have nothing to do either
with individual or state, and will inscribe no laws, until they have either
found, or themselves made, a clean surface.

They will be very right, he said.

Having effected this, they will proceed to trace an outline of the
constitution?